APLW Representative Attends LI 209th Executive Committee Meetings

International Network of Liberal Women (INLW) Asia-Pacific Vice President Josephine Wu Vuylsteke, who also serves as a founding board member of INLW’s Asia-Pacific regional headquarters, the Asia Pacific Liberal Women’s Association (APLW), traveled from her base in Hawaii to the Netherlands to attend the 209th Executive Committee Meeting (ExCom) of Liberal International (LI) held in The Hague.

The three-day meeting brought together nearly 170 delegates from liberal parties and democracy advocates across 48 countries in Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia. INLW, an international non-profit women’s organization, was represented solely by delegates from Taiwan. Taiwanese legislator Fan Yun of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who was elected LI Deputy Vice President last year, participated again this year and, together with legislator Shen Boyang, took part in multiple key forums.

INLW Convenes WPS 25th Anniversary Forum

During this ExCom, INLW organized a special session on women’s rights together with the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), the Al Hurriya Liberal Network (AHLN), and the LI Human Rights Committee, marking the 25th anniversary of the “Women, Peace and Security” (WPS) agenda.

The forum provided a platform to review progress, challenges, and the evolving roles of liberal actors in advancing gender equality and youth participation in peace and security. Since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the WPS agenda has recognized—for the first time—the crucial role of women in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance.

Twenty-five years later, the global landscape has been reshaped by new conflicts, digital insecurity, climate threats, and shrinking civic space. Against this backdrop, liberal organizations reaffirmed that equality, human rights, and inclusive governance remain fundamental to peace. Through keynote speeches, video contributions from global experts, and interactive “World Café” dialogues, participants explored the roles of women and youth in peacebuilding and political leadership from regional and generational perspectives. Together, they drafted concrete and actionable recommendations to be submitted to the LI Human Rights Committee to further advance WPS implementation across the global liberal network.

Fan Yun Expresses Taiwan’s Appreciation

Opening the session, legislator Fan Yun expressed Taiwan’s gratitude to LI. She noted that at last year’s meeting, thanks to the efforts of representatives from more than 50 countries, LI adopted the World Today Resolution condemning China’s distortion of UNGA Resolution 2758—an international legal clarification of critical importance to Taiwan. She conveyed President Lai Ching-te’s special thanks to LI’s global liberal partners.

Emergency Resolution Against Transnational Repression

Delegates at the meeting also unanimously supported the DPP International Affairs Department’s emergency resolution on countering transnational repression. As LI Vice President and DPP representative, Fan Yun called on the alliance to stand with legislator Shen Boyang. The resolution not only passed unanimously on the first day but was further strengthened when a member state proposed renaming it to “Transnational Repression by the People’s Republic of China Against the People of Taiwan,” directly identifying China as the source of threats.

This amendment demonstrates that an increasing number of countries are willing to speak out against China’s unjust oppression of Taiwan and shows that “Taiwan does not stand alone—global liberal partners stand with us.”

Taiwan’s Resilience in the Face of Continuous Threats

Fan Yun emphasized that Taiwan has long lived under “perpetual crisis and political insecurity,” facing China’s expanding authoritarianism—especially since Xi Jinping took office—and escalating threats ranging from military intimidation and gray-zone pressure to economic coercion, cyberattacks, and infiltration. Yet the people of Taiwan have never backed down, forging strong resilience in the process.

She stressed that Taiwan’s experience offers clear lessons for confronting “permanent crisis politics”: reduce dependence on authoritarian states, deepen democratic resilience, strengthen national defense, and enhance whole-of-society preparedness. Only through unified action among global liberals can freedom be preserved—and prevail.

Resolution Supporting Taiwan’s Democracy and International Participation

Another Taiwan-initiated resolution, “Defending Democracy and the Global Order: Supporting Taiwan’s Democratic Resilience and International Participation,” condemned China’s ongoing efforts to marginalize Taiwan within the international system and its attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo through military and political coercion.

The resolution affirms Taiwan’s vital role in the global fight against authoritarianism and echoes President Lai’s statement that “peace comes from strength, and strength comes from resilience.” It reiterates that stability across the Taiwan Strait is the cornerstone of prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world, criticizes China’s misinterpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758, and calls on governments to prioritize cross-strait peace and actively support Taiwan’s international participation and democratic resilience.

INLW & APLW Stand Firm With Taiwan

As members of Liberal International, INLW and its Asia-Pacific headquarters APLW have long championed gender equality and women’s rights while also upholding democratic values, human rights, and liberal solidarity. They remain steadfast supporters of Taiwan and continue to work alongside Taiwan to strengthen the resilience of free and democratic societies.

INLW Asia-Pacific Vice President Josephine Wu Vuylsteke (far left) with board member and Dutch representative Lysbeth (second left), DPP legislator Fan Yun (third left), INLW President Khadija (center), Shen Boyang (far right), and Dutch host party VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius (second right) after the opening ceremony.(Photo credit: INLW, Danker van Valkenburg-Lely)

INLW Board Members at the LI 209th ExCom Meetings